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Thomas Woolner (1825–1892) was a Royal Academy-trained sculptor and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who came to Australia in 1852 thinking he might make his fortune on the goldfields. He ended up having more success as an artist, completing a number of significant portraits and commissions before returning to England in 1854.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009
Accession number: 2009.137
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Thomas Woolner (age 40 in 1865)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
In 2006 the National Portrait Gallery acquired a splendid portrait of Victoria's first governor, Lieutenant Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe by Thomas Woolner.
from Friday 6 March
The Darling Prize is a new annual prize for Australian portrait painters, painting Australian sitters. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.
This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.